Georgia Sky Watch - 1999 02 - no 12

Magazine Overview

Title: Georgia Sky Watch
Issue: Number 12
Date: February 1999
Publisher: MUFON of Georgia
Document Type: Magazine Issue

State Director's Message

The State Director notes a dramatic slowdown in UFO reports received in Georgia since the fall of 1998, with "absolutely nothing being reported" at the time of writing. This aligns with historical statistics, as predicted by historian and archivist Mike Hitt. The organization held its bi-monthly dinner forum on January 9, 1999, with 20 attendees. Bill Stockstill was unable to present his lecture on triangular UFOs due to illness but is expected to reschedule. David Brown presented on the Dead Sea scrolls. The next dinner forum is scheduled for March 27, focusing on information from the Gulf Breeze UFO Conference. Mark Ausmus and the State Director are planning to attend the MUFON Symposium in Arlington, Virginia, in July and encourage others to consider attending and carpooling.

Administratively, Deputy Director Dan Wright is working to enhance the accuracy and professionalism of MUFON investigations and reports. He has implemented enhanced criteria and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for State Directors, which will modify the local report review process to be more strict.

The bulletin also outlines the investigator's report format, which is directly from Chapter IX of the MUFON Manual, aligning with MUFON HQ requirements. The State Director has been using this format since joining MUFON in 1996, having previously applied similar formats to hundreds of felony cases.

Calendar of Events

• March 19-21, 1999: Gulf Breeze UFO Conference, Pensacola Beach, Florida.
• March 27, 1999: MUFON of Georgia Informal dinner at Shoney's, Piedmont Rd, Atlanta.
• April 24, 1999: Kentucky MUFON 2nd Annual Conference, Western Kentucky University.
• July 2-4, 1999: 1999 MUFON Int'l UFO Symposium, Arlington, Virginia.

Information on Georgia UFO cases and links to MUFON sites are available at http://www.isur.com.

Great Reading and Internet Website Reviews

David Brown reviews books on ufology, abductions, and Crop Circles, suggesting local bookstores like Barnes and Noble, Dalton Bookstores, and Walden Books. He highlights "UFOs and How to See Them" by Jenny Randles, a British author, which includes photographs of UFO sightings and the history of UFOs, presenting both believer and debunker perspectives. Randles' "checklist" on how to see a UFO is noted as valuable and aligns with MUFON's investigative techniques.

Brown also mentions reviewing "The Alien Conspiracy and the U.S. Government Coverup of UFOs" and interesting websites in a future issue.

Field Investigation Requirements

Tom Sheets details the procedures for UFO investigations requested by MUFON Deputy Director Dan Wright, aimed at strengthening MUFON's initiative to publish good reports. These procedures are intended to enhance professionalism for both veteran and new investigators. The report review process is also mentioned as part of this effort.

Dan Wright will evaluate all submitted reports from MUFON of Georgia and other state chapters, returning insufficient reports. Local SOPs described in the bulletin will take effect immediately to comply with MUFON HQ desires.

All MUFONGA investigative reports must adhere to the format outlined in Chapter IX of the MUFON Manual, "Writing the Report." Field Investigators (FIs) must gear their investigations and questioning to gather information required by Chapter IX. The actual writing of the report must follow this format, with examples provided from past reports to FIs and Field Training Instructors (FTIs).

Two complete copies of the report must be submitted to the Chief Field Investigator (CFI) or Assistant State Director (ASD). The CFI or ASD will review the report within a 30-day period. If a report is incomplete, the FI or FIT will be contacted for additional work within the review period. Supplementary reports may be required. Upon completion, both copies are forwarded to the State Director for final local review and submission to MUFON HQ.

Key steps in the investigation process include:
1. Initiating an investigation: FIs can develop information locally or receive an assignment.
2. Pursuing the investigation: Contacting the witness promptly and seeking advice from experienced FIs or HQ personnel.
3. Preparing the report: Reflecting the specifications in Chapter IX of the Manual.
4. Requesting assistance: Seeking advice from senior MUFONGA personnel during preparation.
5. Submitting the report: Forwarding two copies to the CFI or ASD.
6. Review period: A 30-day review begins upon receipt.
7. CFI/ASD review: Determining if the report is complete or requires further action.
8. Additional action: If needed, the FI will be contacted for further steps within the 30-day period.
9. Forwarding to State Director: Once complete, reports go to the State Director for local review and submission to MUFON HQ.
10. Guidelines subject to review: These guidelines may be modified as MUFONGA's structure changes.

Field Investigator's Reports

Tom Sheets elaborates on the requirements for field investigator reports, emphasizing adherence to the MUFON FI Manual, Chapter IX. Reports must be type-written, with two copies submitted to the Chief FI for MUFONGA, including supporting documents like maps, sketches, photos, and news articles. The FI/FIT should retain a third copy. The 30-day review period by the CFI begins upon submission.

• The structure of a report includes:
• Report Heading-Example Subject: (Leave blank)
• Type of Report: (Form used, e.g., General Form #1)
• Date of Report: (Date completed and sent)
• Date of UFO Sighting: (Date of event)
• Time of Sighting: (Time of event)
• Place of Sighting: (City, County, State, Country)
• Local Evaluation: (Identified or Unknown, with significance rating: Great, Significant, Ordinary, Borderline)
• To: (MUFON HQ)
• From: (FI's full name and title)
• Sighting Background: (How information was obtained, including dates and sources like news articles or witness calls.)
• Sighting Account: (Detailed narrative of events, witness statements, verification, elimination process, and findings.)
• Activity Log: (Brief log of actions taken and dates.)
• Interview and Interrogation: (Description of interview conditions, witness demeanor, personal data, and background.)
• Additional Witness Check: (Information from other witnesses, corroborating or disproving the main statement.)
• Natural Phenomena Check: (Elimination of natural causes using charts, schedules, software, and reference materials.)
• Man-made Object Check: (Checking for satellites, balloons, aircraft, etc.)
• Other Possibilities: (Exploring psychic events, hoaxes, drug use, or witness instability.)
• Witness Background: (Assessing witness credibility and background, while respecting confidentiality.)
• Sighting Evaluation: (Overall impression, analysis of identified or unknown events, and grading.)
• Detailed Backup: (Supporting materials like maps, photos, notes, recordings, news clippings.)

Investigators are allowed to create additional categories if necessary to support the investigation, provided they do not replace mandated sections. If a case involves multiple investigators, the report writer must have all information and clearly indicate the actions of both investigators.

Spring Sky Watch

The organization is contemplating a Spring sky watch in one of several locations. UFO activity has decreased since the fall surge. Past events include a short duration sighting on Ft. Mountain in August 1998 and a more unusual event on Ft. Mountain during the Leonids sky watch on November 18, 1998.

Potential locations for the sky watch include Ft. Mountain in Chatsworth and Roosevelt State Park atop Pine Mountain in west central Georgia. Douglasville-Hiram area is also considered due to past reports of activity. The sky watch is planned for before late April to avoid insects.

Crop Circles (Part 2 of 3)

Roberta Puhalski continues her article on crop circles, focusing on plant anomalies. This segment is copyrighted by the BLT Research Team Inc.

The observed plant anomalies include:
1. Microscopic level: Abnormal enlargement of cell wall pits in bract tissue.
2. Stem nodes: Grossly enlarged (laterally and longitudinally) plant stem nodes.
3. Node bending: Marked bending of plant stem nodes, often with "expulsion" cavities around the nodes, occurring at various angles and positions on the stem.
4. Seed heads: Stunted, malformed seed heads with missing or stunted seeds, and lower seed weight.
5. Seed germination trials: Markedly significant alterations in seed germination, with comparisons made to control seedlings.

Control studies, including "blind" studies, have been conducted. These studies compare formation plants to control plants from the same field. While human production methods (planks, rollers, feet) can cause slight alterations, they do not produce the specific anomalies observed in crop circles, such as cell wall pit enlargement, expulsion cavities, stunted seed heads, or significantly elongated stem nodes.

State Section Directors

A list of State Section Directors (SSDs) and Additional Field Investigators (FIs) for Georgia is provided, along with their contact information and the counties they cover.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the operational aspects of MUFON, emphasizing professionalism, standardized reporting procedures, and the importance of thorough investigation. There's a focus on community engagement through dinner forums and sky watches, alongside ongoing research into UFO phenomena and crop circles. The editorial stance promotes a structured, scientific approach to UFO investigation while acknowledging the ongoing mystery of unexplained events.